SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: The previous supplier of official U.S. government license plates, the District of Columbia Department of Correction, Lorton Prison, stopped taking license plate orders on June 30, 2001. The new supplier, Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR), started taking license plate orders on July 1, 2001. Actual production of license plates at the UNICOR facility will begin on or about September 15, 2001.

On June 21, 2001, the General Services Administration's (GSA) Office of Governmentwide Policy entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UNICOR for the production of license plates for federal agencies. Prior to entering into the MOU, GSA's Office of Governmentwide Policy obtained a waiver from the provisions of FMR 102-34.110 through 102-34.120 and 102-34.170, which provide for the placement and size of the official U.S. government identification.

The MOU between GSA and UNICOR and the FMR waiver allow changes to the way license plates are produced in order to increase the security of federal license plates and eliminate the need for identification decals in the rear windows of motor vehicles owned or leased by the Government. The new license plates will have the following characteristics:

The plate will be flat and digitally produced with an embossed flange rim.

The plate will have a reflective sheeting similar to most regular state-issued license plates.

The plate will have a security reflective watermark consistent on all plates (repeating the phrase "U.S. Government") and a hologram positioned vertically down the center (an American eagle).

The plate will contain federal agency or bureau identification that readily identifies the vehicle's owner.

All federal agencies ordering license plates must execute an addendum to the MOU between GSA and UNICOR. A federal agency or activity cannot order license plates without completing an addendum to the MOU.